ExtremeRoad.com is pleased to present the second annual Conestoga Road Race on Sunday August 21, 2005 at St. Clements, Ontario, just north of Waterloo. The race course follows a rolling 9.6 km 3-corner circuit featuring two climbs per lap, including the (in)famous Hawkesville Hill ascent. The final series of climbs over the last 4 km will make for an exciting finish for both riders and spectators.

This course is an exceptionally challenging and popular circuit with local cyclists for both training and touring. With an extra-wide paved shoulder all the way up both sides of the climb and continuing over a stretch of one km past the peak and around the wide sweeping curve, the course has plenty of room in the most critical areas. There is even a paved shoulder on the outside of the final corner leading into a tough 450m climb to the finish. The schedule includes a full slate of categories with race distances based on the Ontario Cup standard. Registration will take place at St. Clements Arena and includes access to change rooms and showers along with a concession stand and plenty of parking.

New for 2005: The schedule has been re-arranged to accommodate the larger categories in the morning and the categories have been further sub-divided into six separate categories with three racing in the morning and three in the afternoon.

Schedule

Category

Start Time

Distance

Entry Fee Day-of

Senior 1 & 2 Men

9h45

115 km, 12 laps

$40.00

Master A 30-39 Men

9h48

96 km, 10 laps

$40.00

Master B 40-49 Men

9h50

96 km, 10 laps

$40.00

Under-17 Men

14h00

48 km, 5 laps

$20.00

Junior Men

14h00

77 km, 8 laps

$30.00

Senior 3 Men

14h00

77 km, 8 laps

$30.00

Master C & D 50+ Men

14h03

77 km, 8 laps

$30.00

Senior & Master Women

14h06

77 km, 8 laps

$30.00

Junior Women

14h06

48 km, 5 laps

$20.00

RegistrationRegistration opens at 7h30 and closes 30 mins. before the start of each race. UCI Licensed riders as well as Under-17 age riders with OCA Citizen Permits are eligible to register. Unlicensed riders may register by purchasing a One Event Race Permit for an additional $10.00. U.S riders with Domestic licences are required to purchase a One-Event Race permit.

Technical GuideThere is a detailed technical guide available in .pdf format on the web site and it contains full information regarding the course, schedule, event and equipment rules as well as maps and a description of prizes.

Video Finish SystemThe ExtremeRoad.com Video Finish System will be used for timing and computerized results.

Race NumbersRiders are expected to supply their own OCA-issued SISU road race numbers. For those without OCA numbers, there will be temporary numbers available for a refundable deposit of $5. Please bring your assigned numbers to registration. Also note that if you were issued numbers in the range 1-99 at a previous race that those numbers cannot be used at this race. Please contact the OCA if you are unsure of your assigned road race number.

HelpersAnyone interested in helping out at this event is requested to contact us at (519) 885-2591 or via e-mail at info@extremeroad.com.

DirectionsFrom Toronto, take Hwy 401 west and then take Hwy 8 exit 278 to Kitchener.Take exit to Hwy 85 North Waterloo.Go 12 km then take exit to Reg Rd 15.Turn left on Rd 15 and cross the bridge over Hwy 85.Go 2 km then turn left to continue on Reg Rd 15 towards St. Clements.Go 8 km to St. Clements and then follow signs to St. Clements Arena on Green St.

From London, take Hwy 401 east and exit at Regional Rd 8 (King St E) to Kitchener. Stay right and go under Hwy 401 to Kitchener.Exit to the Hwy 8 on-ramp to Kitchener.Follow directions as above.

The weather outlook is sunny and warm with a few clouds, winds NW 10 kph and a high of 26C. See you there!

The International Cycling Union's anti-doping commission communicates that all urine and blood samples collected during the 2005 Tour de France, except for one sample containing pseudoephedrine and norpseudoephedrine substances, presented only negative results regarding doping products and forbidden methods.

In depth investigations of the sample containing the two mentioned substances as mentioned above, put forward that the presence of norpseudoephedrine in small quantity can result from the taking of pseudoephedrine (authorized product) in more important quantity. After obtaining the opinion of three world recognised scientific experts, the UCI's anti-doping commission has decided to file the case.

Moreover, the UCI anti-doping commission has proceeded to the control of all usual therapeutic use exemptions (TUE). All riders who resorted to medical treatments have produced TUE's, in accordance with requirements imposed by the UCI anti-doping regulations.

In terms of numbers, 164 anti-doping controls were effectuated during the 2005 Tour de France. There were some 143 urine samples and 21 blood samples.

At the request of the UCI anti-doping commission, in collaboration with the French Sports Ministry, the Châtenay-Malabry laboratory has equally proceeded, in addition to traditional researches, to the search for EPO in blood transfusions and synthetic hemoglobin.

Women's Prestige Cycling Series Names Teams for Bermuda Grand Prix

The top ten teams in the Women's Prestige Cycling Series following the International Tour de Ã…â€™Toona are headed for the CD&P Bermuda Grand Prix. Each team will receive a generous travel grant and assistance with housing. The top ten teams are:

Webcor Builders is continuing to demonstrate impressive depth, leading second place Quark Cycling by 461 points. They also have two riders in the top five overall and the top two riders in the Best Young Rider competition.

WPCS Individual StandingsChristine Thorburn's (Webcor Builders) second place finish at the Tour de Toona, a mere 1 second behind Genevieve Jeanson, may have put the overall Series win out of the reach of her competition. Thornburn's wins at the PoolGel Redlands Classic and the Nature Valley Grand Prix, combined with second place points in Altoona, give her a 211 point lead over Quark's Annette Buetler. With 220 points on the line for the win in Bermuda, Buetler could still take the overall Series, but only if Thorburn failed to finish in the top 40 at the Series' finale. However, the competition for the other podium spots remains hot, with just over 100 points separating the next four riders.

WPCS Best Young Rider (U26)Erinne Willcock (Webcor Builders) claimed an unassailable lead in the Series' Best Young Rider competition when she took fifth place overall at the Tour de Toona. Along with her current fourth place in the overall Series standings, the youngster is clearly a rider to watch for the future. This will be Willock's second year as the top young rider in the Series. However, like the individual competition, the other podium positions remain up for grabs.

WPCS Sprint CompetitionSprinters are also recognized by the Women's Prestige Cycling Series. Ina Teutenberg (T-Mobile) retained her lead by winning the Tour de' Toona's sprint competition. Quark is also showing well in the sprint competition, with three riders in the top five, including the dynamic duo of Tina Pic and Laura Van Gilder in second and third. Gina Grain (Victory Brewing), last year's winner of the Series sprint competition, is currently in fourth.

The Series began at the PoolGel Redlands Bicycle Classic (March 31 - April 3) and the Nature Valley Grand Prix (June 8 - 12) and will finish at the CD&P Bermuda Grand Prix (September 22 - 25).

About the Women's Prestige Cycling SeriesThe goal of the Women's Prestige Cycling Series is to highlight women's racing by giving them a spotlight that they don't have to share with the men. The Series grew out of meetings that began in Minnesota in 2003 at the first Yoplait Women's Cycling Summit Conference hosted at the Nature Valley Grand Prix. The Summits, now sponsored by Yoplait Nouriche, take place twice a year: at the Nature Valley Grand Prix in June and at the Interbike trade show in October.